Larissa Luz

Origin

Salvador, BA

Years active

2007

Genres

axé, pop, mpb

Instruments

vocals, keyboards, guitar

Biography

Larissa Luz de Jesus is a Brazilian singer and songwriter born in Salvador, Bahia. Growing up in a literary and musical environment, she began studying singing, keyboard, and classical guitar at a young age before building her career performing in local venues and various musical projects. She is well known for her powerful stage presence and her alignment with afrofuturism and afro-punk aesthetics.

Between 2007 and 2012, she served as the lead vocalist for the renowned axé band Ara Ketu. Following her departure from the group, she expanded her artistic range into theater and musical production, notably starring in productions such as Gonzagão, a Lenda directed by João Falcão and portraying Elza Soares in the 2018 musical Elza. Throughout her career, she has received critical acclaim, including a Latin Grammy nomination for her album Território Conquistado and recognition from the Associação Paulista de Críticos de Arte for her album Trovão.

Beyond her musical work, Luz is deeply involved in acting, directing, and cultural curation. She notably brought the protagonist Bibiana to life in a theatrical adaptation of Itamar Vieira Júnior's acclaimed novel Torto Arado. Her contributions to Brazilian music and culture consistently highlight Black representation and women's empowerment, linking her legacy to other influential figures like Elza Soares and Luiz Gonzaga.